Veronica Gwaze
THE theft of personal valuable items by drifters who live on the streets in Harare’s central business district (CBD) has become increasingly common.
The opportunistic criminals, who often target women and schoolchildren, usually snatch items like wigs, hats, caps, phones and handbags.
Some victims are brave enough to chase after the daring criminals but, most often than not, this is futile as they make good their escape by conveniently sneaking into the labyrinth of tunnels that form the capital city’s stormwater drains and manholes.
For instance, a woman from Houghton Park in Harare recently had a mobile phone snatched from her along Leopold Takawira Street.
The thief simply vanished by burrowing into a manhole near Town House.
The drains have also been turned into makeshift shelters and storage spaces.
Municipal workers recently stumbled upon something unusual: They discovered a group of vagrants hiding in a manhole in Africa Unity Square.
Further, vendors particularly find these spaces handy for either hiding their wares from the municipal police or storing their makeshift stalls made from cardboard boxes.
As a result of frequent use and abuse, many manhole covers have been damaged.
Traditionally designed to drain rainwater and groundwater from surfaces like roads, parking lots and sidewalks, stormwater drains are typically secured with heavy, cast iron manhole covers.
Such covers are supposed to be opened only by authorised personnel for maintenance.
Routine
On a typical Monday morning, and as per routine, a young street vendor who polishes shoes at the intersection of Sam Nujoma and George Silundika streets opens a manhole and momentarily disappears to retrieve his tools of the trade.
“I used to take my belongings home every night, but then I realised I could use this manhole for safekeeping,” he told The Sunday Mail Society.
“I know it is not right and only council workers should open these covers, but I am . . . not damaging anything.”
However, this has become a common practice among vendors.
The abuse of stormwater drains and manholes often results in blockages, which negatively impact on the city’s infrastructure and health through flash floods and waterborne diseases, especially during the rainy season. Dumping waste into the drains makes the situation worse.
In some instances, even light showers can cause localised flooding.
Last year, the body of a man who was believed to have drowned was discovered in a blocked drain near Rusvingo Primary School in Highfield.
Neglect
Urban planning expert Angela Chigaba blames blockages on negligence by residents and local authorities.
“There is need for a relook at the drainage system vis-a-vis the growing population. Some of these drains have been disturbed by residential stands that have recently emerged,” she said, emphasising the importance of regular maintenance of stormwater drains.
Chigaba also suggests considering sustainable drainage systems that allow rainwater to infiltrate into the ground, reducing surface runoff and mitigating flooding risks.
“We should desist from clearing drainages only in the period prior to the rainy season. This should be done periodically,” she added.
“Most buildings in CBDs have rooftops that direct rainfall to the ground and this strains the drainage system if it is not properly maintained and repaired. A normal drainage system allows water to infiltrate into the ground rather than run off.”
Experts also advocate the creation and maintenance of roadside trenches or ditches, which channel water away from roads and prevent flooding.
Ditches naturally collect water and convey it to streams.
This helps keep water from the roadbed and guarantees the road’s durability.
Damage
The authorities are concerned about the deteriorating urban drainage systems.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) warns that annual flood-related losses could double by 2030 if immediate action is not taken to alleviate the strain on these systems.
The agency’s environmental education and publicity manager, Amkela Sidange, emphasises the need for year-round maintenance of drains.
“Poor waste management is a significant contributor to this problem. Clogged drains create breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes and pose serious environmental health risks,” she said.
Section 73 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to a clean and healthy environment.
However, Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba said drainage systems across communities are often neglected.
Many drains have either collapsed or are filled with sand or garbage.
Waste management, he said, was critically important in preventing blockages.
He also believes public awareness campaigns are needed to encourage residents to avoid littering.
“The first thing that needs to be attended to is the issue of refuse collection in residential areas because residents have resorted to dumping waste everywhere,” said Shumba.
“Educated residents will not contribute to destroying the drainage system.”
Interventions
The Harare City Council is undertaking a comprehensive citywide initiative to clean and de-clog drains and catch pits.
This ongoing effort, which began three months ago, has been intensified with the onset of the rainy season.
Stanley Gama, head of corporate communications for the City of Harare, said the primary goal is to create a safer environment for residents.
“Our focus is on clearing illegal dumpsites in residential areas, as these are major contributors to blocked drains and subsequent flash floods,” he said.
To revitalise the CBD, the council has implemented a 24-hour refuse collection and cleaning system.
“Cleaning areas like Market Square, Copacabana and Fourth Street (now Simon Vengai Muzenda Street) termini is more efficient during the night,” added Gama.
While the local authority is taking significant steps, he highlighted the importance of community involvement in maintaining drainage systems.
He also expressed concern over the increasing number of vagrants using drains as shelter, which poses both safety and health risks.
In addition, he indicated the negative impact of illegal dumping by vendors on the city’s drainage infrastructure.
Gama urged the public to report any instances of illegal dumping or misuse of drainage systems, as these actions can have severe consequences on the entire community.
“We urge the public to alert us on these ill-doings because some of the things happen in broad daylight.”
Combating crime
Police have stepped up patrols in the CBD to combat crime and harassment of pedestrians.
Hotspots like the intersection of Robert Mugabe Road and Leopold Takawira Street, as well as the area near Town House, are now under increased surveillance.
“We are implementing stricter enforcement measures and litter control in the CBD,” said Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza.
“We have also taken steps to remove vagrants from the streets, as they have been involved in various criminal activities.”
A joint operation involving the police and the Department of Social Welfare is underway to address the issue of street children. Susan Ngani, a Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare provincial social welfare officer, said children are removed from the streets and placed in rehabilitation centres.
“Some of these children successfully rehabilitate and return to school or pursue vocational training,” she said.
“However, others unfortunately choose to return to the streets and continue their criminal activities. Despite adequate funding and resources allocated to these programmes, some children remain resistant to rehabilitation efforts.”
